HYDERABAD: Pakistani qawwali maestro Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was refused entry at the Hyderabad international airport on Thursday as he flew in directly from the Gulf. Immigration officials said, “For all Pakistani nationals, the port of entry is Delhi or Mumbai. No Pakistani can enter the country from Hyderabad.”

He was to take part in a premium event titled Raahtein on New Year’s Eve’ on Thursday night at the Taj Falaknuma Palace.

The singer arrived by an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi and was sent to Mumbai. He could not participate in the programme that started at 8 pm. He was told to complete the formalities at Mumbai and then come to Hyderabad.

Rahat Fateh Ali Khan collaborates with AR Rahman and Vishal Bhardwaj for musical film 'Jugni', according to Tribune of Karachi. The tracks are composed by Indian singer-composer Clinton Cerejo.

In August last, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan had come to India after four and a half years with his latest album 'Back to Love.' The new album was the top selling non-film
album in India. It had topped both retail and digital charts within a few days of its release.